Antibodies to TNF Alpha

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are antibodies, antigen binding portions, and derivatives thereof that are capable of binding tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα); nucleic acids encoding the antibodies, antigen binding portions, and derivatives thereof, including complementary nucleic acids; vectors; and host cells containing the nucleic acids.

This application incorporates by reference the contents of a 934 kb text file created on Apr. 24, 2015 and named “00497401308sequencelisting.txt,” which is the sequence listing for this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The technology provided herein relates to antibodies, antigen binding portions, and derivatives thereof, nucleic acids encoding the antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof, as well as complementary nucleic acids, vectors and host cells containing the nucleic acids.

BACKGROUND

TNFα is a cytokine produced by white blood cells, including monocytes and macrophages. The cytokine stimulates and activates the immune system in response to conditions such as infection or cancer. TNFα is thought to be involved in a variety of human diseases and disorders, including sepsis, infections, autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection and graft-versus-host disease. Furthermore, over production of TNFα can lead to immunological disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis.

In light of the role that TNFα plays in a human disease, antibodies that bind to TNFα have been sought for use in therapy to inhibit TNFα activity. (See, for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,382 to Salfeld, et al., WO2006/014477 to Crea, et al., and Rajpal, et al., PNAS 102:8466-8471). Therefore, it is important to develop human antibodies, antigen binding portions, and derivatives thereof that are capable of binding TNFα with high affinity and/or slow dissociation kinetics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein are antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof that are capable of binding TNFα. In some embodiments, the antibodies or antigen binding portions thereof have improved properties such as affinity to TNFα compared to a base antibody or antigen binding portion thereof comprising the heavy and light chains of SEQ ID NOs. 1 and 2, respectively or the variable regions thereof. The heavy and light chain sequences for the antibodies and antigen binding portions and derivatives provided herein are described in terms of a base sequence having one or more alterations compared to that sequence. Alterations in the amino acid sequence are specified by providing the residue number preceded by the wild type amino acid and followed by the variant amino acid present at that position. For example, for the heavy chain having a glycine at position or residue 31 of SEQ ID NO. 1 instead of the wild type aspartate is specified as “D31G” using the one letter designation code for amino acids.

Antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof capable of binding TNF-α, are provided. In some embodiments, the antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof comprise a heavy chain or variable region thereof comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P.

In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of V15M, R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, I29V, Y49S, S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, V58M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, P95V, T129A, Q166R, T180I, V196A, and C214G.

In some embodiments, the antibody, antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration in the sequence selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40V, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P and a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration in the sequence selected from the group consisting of V15M, R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, I29V, Y49S, S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, V58M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, P95V, T129A, Q166R, V196A T180I, and C214G.

In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion thereof comprises a heavy chain CDR1 region comprising amino acids 31-35 of SEQ ID NO, 1, a heavy chain CDR2 region comprising amino acids 50-66 of SEQ ID NO. 1 and a heavy chain CDR3 region comprising amino acids 99-100 of SEQ ID NO. 1 and having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P and wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion thereof further optionally comprises a light chain CDR1 region comprising amino acids 24-34 of SEQ ID NO. 2, a light chain CDR2 region comprising amino acids 50-56 of SEQ ID NO. 2 and a light chain CDR3 region comprising amino acids 89-97 of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, I29V, S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, V58M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, and P95V.

Nucleic acid sequences encoding the heavy and light chains of the antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof are also provided herein. The base heavy chain amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence is provided in SEQ ID NO. 1. A sample nucleic acid sequence encoding the base heavy chain amino acid sequence is provided in SEQ ID NO. 3. The base light chain amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence is provided in SEQ ID NO. 2. A sample nucleic acid sequence encoding the base light chain amino acid sequence is provided in SEQ ID NO. 4.

The antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof can be used for preparing compositions to be administered to a patient for the treatment of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease as well as other diseases connected with TNFα. The antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof can also be used in assays, such as diagnostic assays, to detect TNFα or measure the level of TNFα in a biological sample.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the amino acid sequences of the heavy (SEQ ID NO. 1) and light (SEQ ID NO. 2) chains of the base Fab; CDRs 1, 2, and 3 of both the heavy and light chain are underlined as indicated.

FIG. 2 is a Table showing Fab variants provided herein having heavy chains with the indicated alterations in CDR-1 together with wild type light chains or light chains with the indicated alterations compared to the corresponding base Fab sequence (wild type).

FIG. 3A-3C are charts showing data from a homogenous time-resolved energy transfer assay using the indicated Fab variants from FIG. 2 compared to FabHUM.

FIG. 4 is a Table showing heavy chain variants provided herein the indicated altered residues in CDR-2 compared to the corresponding base heavy chain sequence (wild type).

FIG. 5A-5B are charts showing data from a homogenous time-resolved energy transfer assay using Fab comprising the indicated variants from FIG. 4 compared to FabHUM.

FIG. 6 is a Table showing heavy chain variants provided herein having the indicated altered residues in CDR-3 compared to the corresponding base heavy chain sequence (wild type).

FIG. 7A is a chart showing data from an ELISA using Fab comprising the indicated variant from FIG. 6 compared to FabHUM.

FIG. 7B is a chart showing data from a homogenous time-resolved energy transfer assay using Fab comprising the indicated variants from FIG. 6 compared to FabHUM.

FIG. 8 is a Table showing light chain variants provided herein having the indicated altered residues in CDR-1 compared to the corresponding base light chain sequence (wild type).

FIG. 9A-9G are charts showing data from a homogenous time-resolved energy transfer assay using Fab comprising the indicated variants from FIG. 8 compared to FabHUM.

FIG. 10 is a Table showing light chain variants provided herein having the indicated altered residues in CDR-2 and other altered residues together with wild type heavy chain or heavy chain with the indicated alterations compared to the corresponding base sequence (wild type).

FIG. 11A-11I are charts showing data from a homogenous time-resolved energy transfer assay using Fab comprising the indicated variants from FIG. 10 compared to FabHUM.

FIG. 12 is a Table showing light chain variants provided herein having the indicated altered residues in CDR-3 and other altered residues compared to the corresponding base sequence (wild type).

FIG. 13A-13D are charts showing data from a homogenous time-resolved energy transfer assay using Fab comprising the indicated variants from FIG. 12 compared to FabHUM or FabA1.

FIG. 13E is a chart showing data from an ELISA assay.

FIG. 14 is a Table showing variants provided herein having heavy and light chains with the indicated altered residues compared to the corresponding base sequences (wild type).

FIG. 15A-15E are charts showing data from a homogenous time-resolved energy transfer assay using the indicated variants from FIG. 14 compared to FabHUM.

FIG. 16 shows sample nucleic acid sequences (SEQ ID NO. 3 and SEQ ID NO. 4) encoding SEQ ID NOs. 1 and 2, respectively.

FIG. 17 is a Table showing variants provided herein having heavy and light chains with the indicated altered residues compared to the corresponding base sequences (wild type).

FIG. 18A-B are charts showing data from a homogenous time-resolved energy transfer assay using the indicated variants from FIG. 17 compared to FabHUM.

FIG. 19 is a Table showing variants provided herein having heavy and light chains with the indicated altered residues compared to the corresponding base sequences (wild type).

FIG. 20 is a chart showing data from a homogenous time-resolved energy transfer assay using the indicated variants from FIG. 19 compared to FabHUM.

FIG. 21 is a Table showing variants provided herein having heavy and light chains with the indicated altered residues compared to the corresponding base sequences (wild type).

FIG. 22A-K are a charts showing data from a homogenous time-resolved energy transfer assay using the indicated variants from FIG. 21 compared to FabHum-D31Q.

FIG. 23 is a Table showing variants provided herein having heavy and light chains with the indicated altered residues compared to the corresponding base sequences (wild type).

FIG. 24A-F are a charts showing data from a homogenous time-resolved energy transfer assay using the indicated variants from FIG. 23 compared to FabHUM (FabA1) or Fabcb1-3.

FIG. 25 is a Table showing variants provided herein having heavy and light chains with the indicated altered residues compared to the corresponding base sequences (wild type).

FIG. 26A-E are a charts showing data from a homogenous time-resolved energy transfer assay using the indicated variants from FIG. 25 compared to FabHUM (FabA1), FabHum-D31Q or Fabcb1-3.

FIG. 27 is a Table showing variants provided herein having heavy and light chains with the indicated altered residues compared to the corresponding base sequences (wild type).

FIG. 28A-F are a charts showing data from a homogenous time-resolved energy transfer assay using the indicated variants from FIG. 27 compared to FabHUM.

FIG. 29 is a Table showing variants provided herein having heavy and light chains with the indicated altered residues compared to the corresponding base sequences (wild type).

FIG. 30A-B are a charts showing data from a homogenous time-resolved energy transfer assay using the indicated variants from FIG. 29 compared to FabHUM.

FIG. 31A is a Table showing the association constant ka, the dissociation constant kd and the affinity constant K_(D) of variants provided herein in comparison with FabHum determined by surface plasmon resonance analysis. FIG. 31B is a graph showing data from surface plasmon resonance analysis of FabHum. FIG. 31C is a graph showing data from surface plasmon resonance analysis of URS_(—)4.2a_(—)52.

FIG. 32 is a graph showing the results of a cell-based TNF-alpha neutralization assay, comparing FabHUM with a variant of the invention.

FIG. 33 shows the sequence of several variants of the invention.

FIG. 34 shows the full length antibody sequence of several variants of the invention (URS_(—)2.1b_(—)9.0_(—)1—Heavy chain, URS_(—)2.1b_(—)9.0_(—)1—Light chain, URS_(—)2.1_H2_(—)3_(—)72—Heavy chain, URS_(—)2.1_H2_(—)3_(—)72—Light chain, HUMIRA—Heavy chain, HUMIRA—Light chain; SEQ ID NO: 457-462, respectively).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are antibodies, antigen binding portions, and derivatives thereof (also referred to herein as “antibody” or “antibodies”) that are capable of binding to TNFα. The antibodies comprise one or more alterations in the amino acid sequence of the heavy and/or light chain variable regions of SEQ ID NOs. 1 and 2, respectively. It is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art that the regions of both the light chain and the heavy chain of an immunoglobulin contain antigen binding sites. The regions containing the antigen binding sites are composed of four relatively invariant “framework regions” (FRs) and three highly variant “hypervariable regions” (HVs). Because the HVs constitute the binding site for antigen(s) and determine specificity by forming a surface complementarity to the antigen, they are called the “complementarity-determining regions”, or CDRs, and are denoted CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3, and numbering begins with CDR1 at the N-terminus of the heavy or light chain, respectively.

In some embodiments, the antibodies comprise unique CDR1 regions within the variable region of the heavy chain. The antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof can comprise a heavy chain variable region comprising SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of D31G, D31T, D31N, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, and A40V, and further optionally comprising a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of T129A, Q166R, and T180I. For example, the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof can comprise SEQ ID NO. 1 or residues 30-35 of SEQ ID NO. 1, wherein residue 31 is H and residue 32 is F; or wherein residue 31 is G and residue 32 is F or Q; or wherein residue 31 is N; or wherein residue 32 is S; or wherein residue 31 is T and residue 32 is F; or wherein residue 3 is G and residue 32 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is F; or wherein residue 31 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is R. In other embodiments, residue 31 is Q and further optionally comprising a light chain having SEQ ID NO. 2 wherein residue 180 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is I; or wherein residue 32 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is S or F and optionally comprising a light chain having SEQ ID NO. 2 wherein residue 166 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is R; or wherein residue 31 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is H and further optionally comprising a light chain having a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2, wherein residue 40 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is V and residue 129 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is A.

In other embodiments, the antibodies comprise unique CDR2 region within the variable region of the heavy chain. For example, the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof can comprise SEQ ID NO. 1 or residues 50-66 of SEQ ID NO. 1, wherein residue 50 is G; or wherein residue 58 is T or V.

In other embodiments, the antibodies comprise unique CDR3 region within the variable region of the heavy chain. For example, the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof can comprise SEQ ID NO. 1 or residues 99-110 of SEQ ID NO. 1, wherein residue 103 is P.

In addition, the heavy chain variable region of the antibody, antigen binding portion, or derivative thereof can further comprise at least one alteration of SEQ ID NO. 1 selected from the group consisting of D31H, D31Q, Y32S, and S100K.

In some embodiments, the antibodies comprise unique CDR1 region within the variable region of the light chain. The antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof of can comprise a light chain variable region comprising SEQ ID NO. 2 or amino acids 23-34 of SEQ ID NO. 2 and having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, and I29V. For example, the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof can comprise SEQ ID NO. 2 or residues 23-34 of SEQ ID NO. 2, wherein residue 24 is L and residue 25 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is S or G, and optionally wherein residue 29 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is L; or wherein residue 24 is A or T; or wherein residue 25 is S or T and optionally wherein residue 27 is M; or wherein residue 27 is Y, V, or W and optionally wherein residue 26 is T, or wherein residue 28 is S, P, R, or L and optionally wherein residue 29 is L or V.

In some embodiments, the antibodies comprise unique CDR2 region within the variable region of the light chain. The antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof of can comprise a light chain variable region comprising SEQ ID NO. 2 or amino acids 50-56 of SEQ ID NO. 2 and having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, and C214G and further optionally comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 and having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of E65R and G66N. For example, the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof can comprise SEQ ID NO. 2 or amino acids 50-56 of SEQ ID NO. 2 wherein residue 53 is W; or wherein residue 52 is W, G, or N; or wherein residue 53 is Y, F, or V and optionally wherein residue 52 is N or optionally wherein residue 57 is S; or wherein residue 53 is S and residue 214 is G and further optionally comprising a heavy chain having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 wherein residue 65 is R and residue 66 is N; or wherein residue 54 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is S or T and optionally wherein residue 55 is I, K, or L; or wherein residue 56 is R.

In some embodiments, the antibodies comprise unique CDR3 region within the variable region of the light chain. The antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof of can comprise a light chain variable region comprising SEQ ID NO. 2 or amino acids 89-97 of SEQ ID NO. 2 and having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of V15M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, and P95V. For example, the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof can comprise SEQ ID NO. 2 or amino acids 89-97 of SEQ ID NO. 2 wherein residue 94 is P and residue 95 is M and optionally wherein residue 15 is M; or wherein residue 92 is I and optionally wherein residue 93 is Q and residue 94 is P, or wherein residue 92 of is D and residue 93 is M, or wherein residue 93 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is M and optionally wherein residue 94 is P; or wherein residue 93 is Q and optionally wherein residue 94 is P; or wherein residue 93 is K and residue 94 is S; or wherein residue 94 is P and residue 95 is selected from the group consisting of Q, A, S, M, E, and V.

In addition, the light chain variable region of the antibody, antigen binding portion, or derivative thereof can further comprise at least one alteration of SEQ ID NO. 2 selected from the group consisting of Q27L, Q27Y, Q27K, 129L, T53S, Q55L, N92D, R93K and A94P.

The various embodiments described herein can be complimentary and can be combined or used together in a manner understood by the skilled person in view of the teachings contained herein. Thus, the antibodies, antigen binding portions, and derivatives thereof provided herein also include combinations of the above described variations. For example, the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof can comprise SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration in the sequence selected from the group consisting of S52N, S52G, 552W, T53W, V58M, N92I, R93K, R93Q and A94P and optionally comprising a heavy chain having a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 and having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of D31H, D31Q, Y32F, and Y32S.

In some embodiments, the antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof have improved affinity for TNFα compared to an antibody, antigen binding portion, or derivative thereof comprising the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of SEQ ID NOs. 1 and 2, respectively. Improved affinity can be a function of an improved dissociation constant K_(D) or an improved k_(off) rate constant. In some embodiments the improved K_(D) dissociation constant or improved k_(off) rate constant is at least 1.5 fold lower, or 2, 3, or 4 fold lower than that of an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof that comprises the variable region of a heavy chain having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 and the variable region of a light chain having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2.

In a preferred embodiment the improved K_(D) dissociation constant or improved k_(off) rate constant is at least 10 fold lower, or 15, 20, 30 fold lower than that of an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof that comprises the variable region of a heavy chain having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 and the variable region of a light chain having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2.

In some embodiments, the antibody, antigen binding portion, or derivative thereof or nucleic acid encoding same is isolated. An isolated biological component (such as a nucleic acid molecule or protein such as an antibody) is one that has been substantially separated or purified away from other biological components in the cell of the organism in which the component naturally occurs, e.g., other chromosomal and extra-chromosomal DNA and RNA, proteins and organelles. Nucleic acids and proteins that have been “isolated” include nucleic acids and proteins purified by standard purification methods. The term also embraces nucleic acids and proteins prepared by recombinant expression in a host cell as well as chemically synthesized nucleic acids.

Amino acids are referred to herein using the name of the amino acid, the three letter abbreviation or the single letter abbreviation. The table below provides a list of the standard amino acids together with their abbreviations.

Alanine A Ala Cysteine C Cys Aspartic acid D Asp Glutamic acid E Glu Phenylalanine F Phe Glycine G Gly Histidine H His Isoleucine I Ile Lysine K Lys Leucine L Leu Methionine M Met Asparagine N Asn Proline P Pro Glutamine Q Gln Arginine R Arg Serine S Ser Threonine T Thr Valine V Val Tryptophan W Trp Tyrosine Y Tyr Cysteine C Cys Aspartic acid D Asp

In addition to the specific amino acid variations and nucleic acids encoding the variations, conservative amino acid substitutions of the variations are provided herein. Such substitutions are those which are conservative, for example, wherein the variant amino acid is replaced by another amino acid of the same general type. Amino acids can be classified as acidic, basic, neutral and polar, or neutral and nonpolar and/or aromatic, depending on their side chain. Preferred substitutions of a variant amino acid position include those that have one or more classifications that are the same as the variant amino acid at that position. Thus, in general, amino acids Lys, Arg, and His are basic; amino acids aspartic and glutamic are acidic; amino acids Ser, Thr, Cys, Gln, and Asn are neutral polar; amino acids Gly, Ala, Val, Ile, and Leu are nonpolar aliphatic, and amino acids Phe, Trp, and Tyr are aromatic. Gly and Ala are small amino acids and Val, Ile and Leu are alipathic amino acids.

As described herein, antigen binding fragments and derivatives thereof of an antibody includes any portion of an antibody that specifically binds to the antigen. For example, an antigen-binding fragment of an antibody includes molecules in which one or more immunoglobulin chain is not full length but which is capable of specifically binding to the antigen. Examples of binding fragments encompassed within the term “antigen binding fragment thereof” include, for example, (i) a Fab fragment, e.g., a monovalent fragment consisting of the VL, VH, CL and CH1 domains; (ii) a F(ab′)₂ fragment, a bivalent fragment comprising two Fab fragments linked by a disulfide bridge at the hinge region; (iii) a Fd fragment consisting of the VH and CH1 domains; (iv) a Fv fragment consisting of the VL and VH domains of a single arm of an antibody, (v) a dAb fragment (Ward et al., (1989) Nature 341:544-546), which consists of a VH domain; and (vi) an isolated complementarity determining region (CDR) having sufficient framework capable of specifically binding to the antigen, e.g., an antigen binding portion of a variable region. An antigen binding portion of a light chain variable region and an antigen binding portion of a heavy chain variable region, e.g., the two domains of the Fv fragment, VL and VH, can be joined, using recombinant methods, by a synthetic linker that enables them to be made as a single protein chain in which the VL and VH regions pair to form monovalent molecules (known as single chain Fv (scFv); see e.g., Bird et al. (1988) Science 242:423-426; and Huston et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883). Such single chain antibodies are also intended to be encompassed within the term “antigen-binding fragment thereof”. These antibody fragments are generated using conventional techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the fragments are screened for binding ability in the same manner as are intact antibodies. The aforementioned antibody, antigen binding portion, or derivative thereof also encompass recombinant binding proteins which comprise in addition to the aforementioned TNF-alpha binding domain one or more additional domains with binding affinities to other proteins and/or epitops, such as Diabodies, Bis-scFvs, bispecific Fab₂ or trispecific Fab₃ (see, P. Holliger and P. J. Hudson, Nature Biotechnology, 2005, Vol. 23, Number 9, page 1126-1136). These binding proteins are generated using conventional techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the fragments are screened for binding ability in the same manner as are intact antibodies. In addition, the antibody, antigen binding portion, or derivative thereof is a human antibody e.g. can be of human origin or being humanized. While human antibodies or fragments or derivatives thereof are preferred, other antibodies which can be employed in the molecules of the invention are murine, chimeric and humanized antibodies. These chimeric or humanized antibodies and antibody fragments are generated using conventional techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Human monoclonal antibodies or fragments and derivatives thereof are preferred.

In addition, the antibody, antigen binding portion, or derivative thereof can be derivatized, for example to improve its biochemical stability or to conjugate it to a detectable label or therapeutic agent. For example, the antibody, antigen binding portion, or derivative thereof can be conjugated to a polymeric backbone, such as polyethylene glycol (“PEG”), cellulose, dextran, agarose, or an amino acid copolymer. Other examples of derivatization include labeling with radioactive isotopes, fluorophores, chemiluminescent agents, cell toxic agents and enzymes. These modifications can readily be made by one of ordinary skill in the art such that the ability of the antibodies or antigen binding portions or derivatives thereof to bind TNFα remains intact.

It is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art that the genetic code is degenerate, that is more than one codon triplet can code for the same amino acid. Therefore, the nucleic acids provided herein also include alternate sequence that use different codons to encode the same amino acid sequence. Furthermore, the nucleic acids provided herein also include both the coding sequence and the complementary sequence of nucleic acids encoding the antibodies, antigen binding fragments thereof and derivatives thereof provided herein.

The altered heavy and light chains or variable regions thereof provided herein can be generated by standard methods in the art. For example, to generate the altered heavy chain, one of ordinary skill in the art can mutagenize the base nucleic acid sequence such that the resulting mutagenized sequence encodes the altered heavy chain. In one embodiment, the base sequence for the heavy chain is provided in SEQ ID NO. 3. Similarly, to generate the altered light chain, one or ordinary skill in the art can mutagenize SEQ ID NO. 4 such that the resulting mutagenized sequence encodes the altered light chain. As described herein, it is understood that because of the degeneracy of the genetic code, the base nucleic sequence can be different from that shown in SEQ ID NO. 3 or 4 and still encode the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO. 1 or 2, respectively.

One of ordinary skill in the art can readily mutagenize a sequence that encodes the desired heavy or light chain even where the nucleic acid sequence uses different codons to encode the amino acid sequence. The nucleic acid to be used in the mutagenesis can be made, for example, using chemical synthesis methods that are known in the art, or for example by PCR assembly of oligonucleotides or ligation of oligonucleotides to generate the base sequence. The alterations in the nucleic acid sequence can be made using oligonucleotides designed to incorporate specific changes at predetermined positions within the encoding nucleic acids (e.g., by oligonucleotide mutagenesis). Mutagenesis methods as described by Kunkle et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 82:488-492 (1985) are suitable methods. Other suitable methods known in the art such include PCR mutagenesis. Site-directed mutagenesis (Carter et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 13:4331 (1986); Zoller et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 10:6487 (1987)), cassette mutagenesis Wells et al., Gene, 34:315 (1985), restriction selection mutagenesis (Wells et al., Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London SerA, 317:415 (1986)). Polynucleotides encoding the altered heavy or light chains can also be made, for example, by direct synthesis of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the altered amino acid sequence.

An antibody, antigen binding portion, or derivative thereof provided herein can be prepared by recombinant expression of nucleic acid sequences encoding light and heavy chains or portions thereof in a host cell. To express an antibody, antigen binding portion, or derivative thereof recombinantly, a host cell can be transfected with one or more recombinant expression vectors carrying DNA fragments encoding the light and/or heavy chains or portions thereof such that the light and heavy chains are expressed in the host cell. Standard recombinant DNA methodologies are used prepare and/or obtain nucleic acids encoding the heavy and light chains, incorporate these nucleic acids into recombinant expression vectors and introduce the vectors into host cells, such as those described in Sambrook, Fritsch and Maniatis (eds), Molecular Cloning; A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., (1989), Ausubel, F. M. et al. (eds.) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing Associates, (1989) and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,397 by Boss et al.

In addition, the nucleic acid sequences encoding variable regions of the heavy and/or light chains can be converted, for example, to nucleic acid sequences encoding full-length antibody chains, Fab fragments, or to scFv. The VL- or VH-encoding DNA fragment can be operatively linked, (such that the amino acid sequences encoded by the two DNA fragments are in-frame) to another DNA fragment encoding, for example, an antibody constant region or a flexible linker. The sequences of human heavy chain and light chain constant regions are known in the art (see e.g., Kabat, E. A., et al. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242) and DNA fragments encompassing these regions can be obtained by standard PCR amplification.

To create a polynucleotide sequence that encodes a scFv, the VH- and VL-encoding nucleic acids can be operatively linked to another fragment encoding a flexible linker such that the VH and VL sequences can be expressed as a contiguous single-chain protein, with the VL and VH regions joined by the flexible linker (see e.g., Bird et al. (1988) Science 242:423-426; Huston et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883; McCafferty et al., Nature (1990) 348:552-554).

To express the antibodies, antigen binding portions or derivatives thereof standard recombinant DNA expression methods can be used (see, for example, Goeddel; Gene Expression Technology. Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990)). For example, DNA encoding the desired polypeptide can be inserted into an expression vector which is then transfected into a suitable host cell. In some embodiments, the DNAs encoding the heavy and light chains are inserted into separate vectors. In other embodiments, the DNA encoding the heavy and light chains are inserted into the same vector. It is understood that the design of the expression vector, including the selection of regulatory sequences is affected by factors such as the choice of the host cell, the level of expression of protein desired and whether expression is constitutive or inducible.

Preferred regulatory sequences for mammalian host cell expression include viral elements that direct high levels of protein expression in mammalian cells, such as promoters and/or enhancers derived from cytomegalovirus (CMV) (such as the CMV promoter/enhancer), Simian Virus 40 (SV40) (such as the SV40 promoter/enhancer), adenovirus, (e.g., the adenovirus major late promoter (AdMLP)) and polyoma. For further description of viral regulatory elements, and sequences thereof, see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,062 by Stinski, U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,245 by Bell et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,615 by Schaffner et al. The recombinant expression vectors can also include origins of replication and selectable markers (see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,399,216, 4,634,665 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,017, by Axel et al.). Suitable selectable markers include genes that confer resistance to drugs such as G418, hygromycin or methotrexate, on a host cell into which the vector has been introduced. For example, the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene confers resistance to methotrexate and the neo gene confers resistance to G418.

Transfection of the expression vector into a host cell can be carried out using standard techniques such as electroporation, calcium-phosphate precipitation, and DEAE-dextran transfection.

Suitable mammalian host cells for expressing the antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof provided herein include Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO cells) (including dhfr-CHO cells, described in Urlaub and Chasin, (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:4216-4220, used with a DHFR selectable marker, e.g., as described in R. J. Kaufman and P. A. Sharp (1982) Mol. Biol. 159:601-621), NSO myeloma cells, COS cells and SP2 cells. In some embodiments, the expression vector is designed such that the expressed protein is secreted into the culture medium in which the host cells are grown. The antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof can be recovered from the culture medium using standard protein purification methods.

The antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof can also be produced in prokaryotic cells using suitable vectors as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,204,023 to Robinson, et al and in (Carter et al., Bio/Technology 10:163-167 (1992). The expression vector can be designed to allow the expressed polypeptide to be secreted into the periplasmic space of gram-negative bacteria, or the extracellular space of gram-positive bacteria or yeasts, or the polypeptide can be retained within the cell, for example, in inclusion bodies. It is well-known to anyone skilled in the are that the sequences provided herein for heavy and light chain antibodies and fragements thereof can be operatively linked to functional elements that direct the expression to the respective spaces, such functional elements comprising for example leader sequences. The expressed polypeptide can be isolated from the periplasmic space or the inclusion bodies can be isolated from the host cell, respectively. For example, Fab′-SH fragments can be directly recovered from E. coli and chemically coupled to form F(ab′)₂ fragments (Carter et al., (1992)). In another embodiment, the antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof may be produced by homologous recombination, e.g. as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,244.

Suitable host cells for cloning or expressing the DNA in the vectors herein are the prokaryote, yeast, or higher eukaryote cells described above. In addition to prokaryotes, eukaryotic microbes such as filamentous fungi or yeast are suitable cloning or expression hosts for the antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof provided herein. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a suitable eukaryotic host microorganism. Another suitable yeast host is Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Suitable host cells for the expression of glycosylated antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof provided herein include mammalian, plant, and insect cells. The antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof can be recovered from the culture medium using standard protein purification methods, including but not limiting to hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel electrophoresis, dialysis, recombinant tag purification (such as HA-tag, Myc-tag, His-tag) and affinity chromatography.

Host cells are transformed with the above-described expression or cloning vectors for antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof production and cultured in conventional nutrient media modified as appropriate for inducing promoters, selecting transformants, or amplifying the genes encoding the desired sequences. Commercially available media such as Ham's F10, Minimal Essential Medium ((MEM), RPMI-1640, and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM), are suitable for culturing the host cells. The culture conditions, such as temperature, pH, and the like, are those previously used with the host cell selected for expression, and will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan.

When using recombinant techniques, the antibody can be produced intracellularly, in the periplasmic space, or directly secreted into the medium. If the antibody is produced intracellularly, as a first step, the particulate debris, either host cells or lysed fragments, is removed, for example, by centrifugation or ultrafiltration. Carter et al., Bio/Technology 10:163-167 (1992) describe a procedure for isolating antibodies which are secreted to the periplasmic space of E. coli. Briefly, cell paste is thawed in the presence of sodium acetate (pH 3.5), EDTA, and phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF) over about 30 min. Cell debris can be removed by centrifugation. Where the antibody is secreted into the medium, supernatants from such expression systems are generally first concentrated using a commercially available protein concentration filter, for example, an Amicon or Millipore Pellicon ultrafiltration unit. A protease inhibitor such as PMSF may be included in any of the foregoing steps to inhibit proteolysis and antibiotics may be included to prevent the growth of adventitious contaminants.

The antibody composition prepared from the cells can be purified using, for example, ion exchange chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel electrophoresis, dialysis, and affinity chromatography.

The antibodies, antigen binding fragments thereof and derivatives thereof are shown to bind TNF-α by ELISA assay and/or HTRF assay, other assay formats known to anyone skilled in the art can be applied as well. Many of the antibodies, antigen binding fragments thereof and derivatives thereof provided herein bind to TNF-α at least as well as a Fab fragment of the anti-TNFα monoclonal antibody D2E7 (comprising SEQ ID NO. 1 and SEQ ID NO. 2). The assays demonstrate that many of the variants have a reduced off-rate compared to the antigen binding fragment of D2E7.

The antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof provided herein can be administered to a patient in need thereof. A variety of routes can be used to administer the antibody, antigen binding portion or derivative thereof. Any mode of administration that is medically acceptable, meaning any mode that produces effective levels of the active compounds without causing clinically unacceptable adverse effects can be used to administer the antibody, antigen binding portion or derivative thereof. Such modes of administration include oral, sublingual, topical, nasal, transdermal or parenteral routes. The term “parenteral” includes subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, or infusion.

The antibody, antigen binding portion or derivative thereof can be administered once, continuously, such as by continuous pump, or at periodic intervals. The periodic interval may be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. The dosing can occur over the period of one month, two months, three months or more to elicit an appropriate humoral, cellular immune and/or clinical response. Desired time intervals of multiple doses of a particular composition can be determined without undue experimentation by one skilled in the art. Other protocols for the administration of an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art, in which the dose amount, schedule of administration, sites of administration, mode of administration and the like vary from the foregoing.

In yet another embodiment, the antibodies, antigen binding portions, or derivatives thereof provided herein can be used to detect TNFα in a biological sample, in vivo, ex vivo or in vitro. Suitable biological samples include, e.g., a tissue sample, a body fluid sample or a cell sample that is expected to contain TNFα. This can be achieved, for example, by contacting a sample to be tested, optionally along with a control sample, with the antibody, antigen binding portion, or derivative thereof under conditions that allow for formation of a complex between the antibody and TNFα, if present in the sample. Complex formation can then be detected, for example using enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA).

In one embodiment, an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P. Yet another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof wherein the alterations in SEQ ID NO. 1 are selected from the group consisting of D31G, D31T, D31N, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, and A40V, and further comprising a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of T129A, Q166R, and T80I.

Another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P wherein residue 31 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is H and residue 32 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is F.

Another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A500, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P wherein residue 31 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is G and residue 32 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is F or Q.

Another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P wherein residue 32 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is S.

Another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P wherein residue 31 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is T and residue 32 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is F.

Furthermore, another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P wherein residue 31 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is Q and further comprising a light chain having SEQ ID NO. 2 wherein residue 180 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is I.

Another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P wherein residue 31 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is N.

Another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P wherein residue 31 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is N and residue 32 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is S or F. A further embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α further comprising a light chain having a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2, wherein residue 166 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is R.

Another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P wherein residue 31 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is H and further comprising a light chain having a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2, wherein residue 40 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is V and residue 129 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is A.

Another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P wherein residue 31 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is T and residue 32 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is F.

Another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P wherein residue 31 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is G and residue 32 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is F.

Another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P wherein residue 31 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is R.

Another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P wherein residue 50 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is G.

Another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P wherein residue 58 of SEQ ID NO. 1 is T or V.

Another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P wherein residue 103 or SEQ ID NO. 1 is P.

Another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P wherein the heavy chain further comprising at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of D31H, D31Q, Y32S, and S100K.

Another embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I158T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P having a K_(D) dissociation constant or a K_(off) rate constant that is at least 1.5 fold lower than that of an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof that comprises a heavy chain having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 and a light chain having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2.

Another embodiment is a nucleic acid encoding an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40R, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P. A further embodiment is a vector comprising the aforementioned nucleic acid. Yet a further embodiment is a host cell comprising the aforementioned nucleic acid.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of V15M, R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, I29V, Y49S, S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, V58M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, P95V, T129A, Q166R, TI 80I, V196A, and C214G. Furthermore, an embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative wherein the alterations in SEQ ID NO. 2 are selected from the group consisting of R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, and I29V.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, and I29V wherein residue 24 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is L and residue 25 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is S or G. A further embodiment is the aforementioned antibody wherein residue 25 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is S and wherein residue 29 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is L.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, and I29V wherein residue 24 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is A or T.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, and I29V wherein residue 25 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is S or T. Yet a further embodiment is the aforementioned antibody wherein residue 27 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is M.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, and I29V wherein residue 27 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is Y, V, or W. A further embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof wherein residue 26 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is T.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, and I29V wherein residue 28 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is S, P, R, or L. A further embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof wherein residue 29 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is L or V.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, and C214G and further comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of E65R and G66N. A further embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative wherein residue 53 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is W.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, and C214G and further comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of E65R and G66N wherein residue 52 of SEQ ID NO 2. is W, G, or N.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, and C214G and further comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of E65R and G66N wherein residue 52 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is N and residue 53 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is Y, F, or V.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, and C214G and further comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of E65R and G66N wherein residue 53 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is Y, F, or V and residue 57 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is S.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, and C214G and further comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of E65R and G66N wherein residue 53 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is S and residue 214 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is G and further comprising a heavy chain having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 wherein residue 65 is R and residue 66 is N.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, and C214G and further comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of E65R and G66N residue 54 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is S, or T. A further embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof wherein residue 55 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is I, K, or L.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, and C214G and further comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of E65R and G66N wherein residue 56 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is R.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of V15M, R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, I29V, Y49S, S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, V58M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, P95V, T129A, Q166R, T180I, V196A, and C214G wherein the alterations in SEQ ID NO. 2 are selected from the group consisting of V15M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, and P95V. Yet a further embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof wherein residue 15 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is M, residue 94 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is P, and residue 95 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is M.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of V15M, R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, I29V, Y49S, S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, V58M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, P95V, T129A, Q166R, T180I, V196A, and C214G wherein the alterations in SEQ ID NO. 2 are selected from the group consisting of V15M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, and P95V wherein residue 92 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is I. A further embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof wherein residue 93 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is Q and residue 94 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is P.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of V15M, R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, I29V, Y49S, S52N, 52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, V58M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, P95V, T129A, Q166R, T180I, V196A, and C214G wherein the alterations in SEQ ID NO. 2 are selected from the group consisting of V15M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, and P95V wherein residue 92 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is D and residue 93 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is M.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of V15M, R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, I29V, Y49S, S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, V58M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, P95V, T129A, Q166R, T180I, V196A, and C214G wherein the alterations in SEQ ID NO. 2 are selected from the group consisting of V15M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, and P95V wherein residue 93 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is M. A further embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof wherein residue 94 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is P.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of V15M, R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, I29V, Y49S, S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T530, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, V58M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, P95V, T129A, Q166R, T180I, V196A, and C214G wherein the alterations in SEQ ID NO. 2 are selected from the group consisting of V15M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, and P95V wherein residue 93 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is Q. A further embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof wherein residue 94 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is P.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of V15M, R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, I29V, Y49S, S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, V58M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, P95V, T129A, Q166R, T180I, V196A, and C214G wherein the alterations in SEQ ID NO. 2 are selected from the group consisting of V15M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, and P95V residue 93 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is K and residue 94 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is S.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of V15M, R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, I29V, Y49S, S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, V58M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, P95V, T129A, Q166R, T180I, V196A, and C214G wherein the alterations in SEQ ID NO. 2 are selected from the group consisting of V15M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, and P95V wherein residue 94 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is P and residue 95 of SEQ ID NO. 2 is selected from the group consisting of Q, A, S, M, E, and V.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, and C214G and further comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of E65R and G66N, the light chain further comprising at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of Q27L, Q27Y, Q27K, 129L, T53S, Q55L, N92D, R93K and A94P.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion or derivative thereof comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, and C214G and further comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of E65R and G66N wherein the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof having a K_(D) dissociation constant or a K_(off) rate constant that is at least 1.5 fold lower than that of an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof that comprises a heavy chain having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 and a light chain having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion thereof comprises a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration in the sequence selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40V, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P and a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration in the sequence selected from the group consisting of V15M, R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, I29V, Y49S, S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, V58M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, P95V, T129A, Q166R, V196A T180I, and C214G. A further embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof having a K_(D) dissociation constant or a K_(off) rate constant that is at least 1.5 fold lower than that of an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof that comprises a heavy chain having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 and a light chain having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion thereof comprises a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 having at least one alteration in the sequence selected from the group consisting of Q3R, D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A40V, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P and a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration in the sequence selected from the group consisting of V15M, R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, I29V, Y49S, S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, V58M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, P95V, T129A, Q166R, V196A T80I, and C214G, wherein the light chain has at least one alteration in the sequence selected from the group consisting of S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, V58M, N92I, R93K, R93Q and A94P. A further embodiment is the aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof, wherein the heavy chain has at least one alteration in the sequence selected from the group consisting of D31H, D31Q, Y32F, and Y32S.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion thereof comprises a heavy chain CDR1 region comprising amino acids 31-35 of SEQ ID NO. 1, a heavy chain CDR2 region comprising amino acids 50-66 of SEQ ID NO. 1 and a heavy chain CDR3 region comprising amino acids 99-100 of SEQ ID NO. 1 and having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of D31G, D31N, D31T, D31R, Y32F, Y32Q, M34I, A50G, I58T, I58V, E65R, G66N, and S103P and wherein the antibody or antigen binding portion thereof comprises a light chain CDR1 region comprising amino acids 24-34 of SEQ ID NO. 2, a light chain CDR2 region comprising amino acids 50-56 of SEQ ID NO. 2 and a light chain CDR3 region comprising amino acids 89-97 of SEQ ID NO. 2 having at least one alteration selected from the group consisting of R24L, R24A, R24T, R25S, R25G, R25T, S26T, Q27M, Q27V, Q27W, G28S, G28P, G28R, G28L, I29V, S52N, S52G, S52W, T53W, T53Y, T53G, T53F, T53V, L54S, L54T, Q55I, Q55K, S56R, G57S, V58M, N92I, R93Q, R93M, A94S, P95Q, P95A, P95S, P95M, P95E, and P95V.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) (variable heavy chain) antibody chain comprising at least one of the V_(h) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions whose sequences are identified by SEQ ID NO: 43, 44, and 45 respectively and wherein the V_(l) (variable light chain) antibody chain comprising at least one of the V_(l) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions whose sequences are identified by SEQ ID NO: 49, 50 and 51, respectively, excluding an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprising at least one of the V_(h) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions whose sequences are identified by SEQ ID NO: 46, 47, and 48 respectively and wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprising at least one of the V_(l) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions whose sequences are identified by SEQ ID NO: 52, 53 and 54, respectively. A further embodiment is an aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α with an affinity constant K_(D) or k_(off) rate constant that is at least 3 fold lower than that of the antibody having a heavy chain and a light chain identified by SEQ ID NO: 463 and SEQ ID NO: 464, respectively. A further preferred embodiment is an aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α with an affinity constant K_(D) of less than 30 pM, more preferably of less or equal than 10 pM.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprising the V_(h) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions whose sequences are identified by SEQ ID NO: 43, 44, and 45 respectively and wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprising the V_(l) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions whose sequences are identified by SEQ ID NO: 49, 50 and 51, respectively, excluding an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprising at least one of the V_(h) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions whose sequences are identified by SEQ ID NO: 46, 47, and 48 respectively and wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprising at least one of the V_(l) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions whose sequences are identified by SEQ ID NO: 52, 53 and 54, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprising at least one of the V CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions whose sequences are identified by SEQ ID NO: 43, 44, and 45 respectively and wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprising at least one of the V_(l) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions whose sequences are identified by SEQ ID NO: 49, 50 and 51, respectively, and wherein the heavy chain V_(h) region has a G at position 30. Position 30 of the V_(h) region is defined by standard numbering (see e.g., Kabat, E. A., et al. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242).

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprising the V_(h) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions whose sequences are identified by SEQ ID NO: 43, 44, and 45 respectively and wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprising the V_(l) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions whose sequences are identified by SEQ ID NO: 49, 50 and 51, respectively, and wherein the heavy chain V_(h) region has a G at position 30. Position 30 of the V_(h) region is defined by standard numbering (see e.g., Kabat, E. A., et al. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242).

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprising the V_(h) CDR1 region whose sequence is identified by SEQ ID NO: 55.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprising the V_(h) CDR1 region whose sequence is identified by SEQ ID NO: 55 and wherein the heavy chain V_(h) region has a G at position 30. Position 30 of the V_(h) region is defined by standard numbering (see e.g., Kabat, E. A., et al. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242).

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprising the V_(h) CDR1 region whose sequence is identified by SEQ ID NO: 55 and wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprising at least one of the V_(l) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions whose sequences are identified by SEQ ID NO: 49, 50 and 51, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprising the V_(h) CDR1 region whose sequence is identified by SEQ ID NO: 55 and wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprising at least one of the V_(l) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions whose sequences are identified by SEQ ID NO: 49, 50 and 51, respectively, and wherein the heavy chain V_(h) region has a G at position 30. Position 30 of the V_(h) region is defined by standard numbering (see e.g., Kabat, E. A., et al. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242).

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprising the V_(l) CDR3 region whose sequence is identified by SEQ ID NO: 56.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprising at least one of the V_(h) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions whose sequences are identified by SEQ ID NO: 43, 44, and 45 respectively and wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprising the V_(l) CDR3 regions whose sequence is identified by SEQ ID NO: 56.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chains comprise the sequence which is comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO: 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26, excluding sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 40.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chains comprise the sequence which is comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO: 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 20, excluding sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 40.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 21.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 22.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 23.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 24.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 25.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 26.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 27, excluding sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 42.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 28.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 29.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 30.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 31.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 32.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 33.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 34.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 37.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(l) antibody chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 38.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences which are comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO: 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 and which are comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37 and 38, respectively, excluding an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 40 and SEQ ID NO: 42, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 20 and SEQ ID NO: 27, respectively, excluding an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 40 and SEQ ID NO: 42, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 21 and SEQ ID NO: 27, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 22 and SEQ ID NO: 27, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 27, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 24 and SEQ ID NO: 27, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 25 and SEQ ID NO: 27, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 26 and SEQ ID NO: 27, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 37, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 24 and SEQ ID NO: 37, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 38, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 24 and SEQ ID NO: 38, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 20 and SEQ ID NO: 31, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 21 and SEQ ID NO: 31, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 22 and SEQ ID NO: 31, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 31, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 24 and SEQ ID NO: 31, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 20 and SEQ ID NO: 28, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 21 and SEQ ID NO: 28, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 22 and SEQ ID NO: 28, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 28, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 24 and SEQ ID NO: 28, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 21 and SEQ ID NO: 29, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 22 and SEQ ID NO: 29, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 29, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 24 and SEQ ID NO: 29, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 21 and SEQ ID NO: 30, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 22 and SEQ ID NO: 30, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 30, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 24 and SEQ ID NO: 30, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 21 and SEQ ID NO: 32, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 22 and SEQ ID NO: 32, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 32, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 24 and SEQ ID NO: 32, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 21 and SEQ ID NO: 33, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Vs and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 22 and SEQ ID NO: 33, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 33, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 24 and SEQ ID NO: 33, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 21 and SEQ ID NO: 34, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 22 and SEQ ID NO: 34, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 34, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 24 and SEQ ID NO: 34, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the antibody heavy chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 5, excluding sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 39.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 6.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 7.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 8.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 9.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 10.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 11.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody light chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 12, excluding sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 41.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody light chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 13.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody light chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 14.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody light chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 15.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody light chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 16.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody light chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 17.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody light chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 18.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody light chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 19.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody light chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 36.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody light chain comprises the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 35.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy and light chains comprise the sequences which are comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and which are comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO: 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 19, 35 and 36, respectively, excluding an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 39 and SEQ ID NO: 41, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy and light chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 5 and SEQ ID NO: 12, respectively, excluding an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 39 and SEQ ID NO: 41, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy and light chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 12, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy and light chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 12, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy and light chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 12, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy and light chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 9 and SEQ ID NO: 12, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy and light chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 10 and SEQ ID NO: 12, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy and light chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 11 and SEQ ID NO: 12, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy and light chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 35, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy and light chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 9 and SEQ ID NO: 35, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy and light chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 36, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the Antibody heavy and light chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 9 and SEQ ID NO: 36, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 5 and SEQ ID NO: 16, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 16, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 16, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 16, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 9 and SEQ ID NO: 16, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 5 and SEQ ID NO: 13, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 13, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 13, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 13, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 9 and SEQ ID NO: 13, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 14, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 14, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 14, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 9 and SEQ ID NO: 14, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 15, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 15, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 15, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 9 and SEQ ID NO: 15, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 17, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 17, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 17, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 9 and SEQ ID NO: 17, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 18, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 18, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 18, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 9 and SEQ ID NO: 18, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 19, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 19, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 19, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 9 and SEQ ID NO: 19, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein V_(h) antibody chain comprise the sequence which is comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 149, 265, 271, 291, 295, 303, 309, 313, 321, 359, 401, 402 and 453.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein V_(l) antibody chain comprise the sequence which is comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 150, 266, 272, 292, 296, 304, 310, 314, 322, 360 and 454.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chain comprise the sequence which is comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 149, 265, 271, 291, 295, 303, 309, 313, 321, 359, 401, 402 and 453 and which is comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 150, 266, 272, 292, 296, 304, 310, 314, 322, 360 and 454, respectively.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein antibody heavy chain comprise the sequence which is comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 147, 263, 269, 289, 293, 301, 307, 311, 319, 357, 373 and 399.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein antibody light chain comprise the sequence which is comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 148, 264, 270, 290, 294, 302, 308, 312, 320, 358, 374 and 400.

Another embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein antibody heavy and light chains comprise the sequence which is comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 147, 263, 269, 289, 293, 301, 307, 311, 319, 357, 373 and 399 and which is comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 148, 264, 270, 290, 294, 302, 308, 312, 320, 358, 374 and 400, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 149 and SEQ ID NO: 150, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 147 and SEQ ID NO: 148, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 265 and SEQ ID NO: 266, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 263 and SEQ ID NO: 264, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 271 and SEQ ID NO: 272, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 269 and SEQ ID NO: 270, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 291 and SEQ ID NO: 292, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 289 and SEQ ID NO: 290, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 295 and SEQ ID NO: 296, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 293 and SEQ ID NO: 294, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 303 and SEQ ID NO: 304, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 301 and SEQ ID NO: 302, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 309 and SEQ ID NO: 310, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 307 and SEQ ID NO: 308, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 313 and SEQ ID NO: 314, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 311 and SEQ ID NO: 312, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 321 and SEQ ID NO: 322, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 319 and SEQ ID NO: 320, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 359 and SEQ ID NO: 360, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 357 and SEQ ID NO: 358, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(i) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 375 and SEQ ID NO: 376, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 373 and SEQ ID NO: 374, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 401 and SEQ ID NO: 402, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 399 and SEQ ID NO: 400, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the V_(h) and V_(l) antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 453 and SEQ ID NO: 454, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy and light antibody chains comprise the sequences identified by SEQ ID NO: 451 and SEQ ID NO: 452, respectively.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein a heavy chain comprises the sequences which are comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO: 57, SEQ ID NO: 58, SEQ ID NO: 59, SEQ ID NO: 60, SEQ ID NO: 61, SEQ ID NO: 62, SEQ ID NO: 63, SEQ ID NO: 65, SEQ ID NO: 66, SEQ ID NO: 67, SEQ ID NO: 68, SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 72, SEQ ID NO: 74, SEQ ID NO: 78, SEQ ID NO: 79, SEQ ID NO: 103, SEQ ID NO: 106, SEQ ID NO: 112, SEQ ID NO: 139, SEQ ID NO: 141, SEQ ID NO: 143, SEQ ID NO: 145, SEQ ID NO: 147, SEQ ID NO: 151, SEQ ID NO: 153, SEQ ID NO: 155, SEQ ID NO: 157, SEQ ID NO: 159, SEQ ID NO: 161, SEQ ID NO: 163, SEQ ID NO: 165, SEQ ID NO: 167, SEQ ID NO: 169, SEQ ID NO: 171, SEQ ID NO: 173, SEQ ID NO: 175, SEQ ID NO: 177, SEQ ID NO: 179, SEQ ID NO: 181, SEQ ID NO: 183, SEQ ID NO: 185, SEQ ID NO: 187, SEQ ID NO: 189, SEQ ID NO: 191, SEQ ID NO: 193, SEQ ID NO: 195, SEQ ID NO: 197, SEQ ID NO: 199, SEQ ID NO: 201, SEQ ID NO: 210, SEQ ID NO: 214, SEQ ID NO: 215, SEQ ID NO: 216, SEQ ID NO: 217, SEQ ID NO: 219, SEQ ID NO: 221, SEQ ID NO: 223, SEQ ID NO: 225, SEQ ID NO: 227, SEQ ID NO: 229, SEQ ID NO: 231, SEQ ID NO: 233, SEQ ID NO: 235, SEQ ID NO: 237, SEQ ID NO: 239, SEQ ID NO: 241, SEQ ID NO: 243, SEQ ID NO: 245, SEQ ID NO: 247, SEQ ID NO: 249, SEQ ID NO: 251, SEQ ID NO: 253, SEQ ID NO: 255, SEQ ID NO: 257, SEQ ID NO: 259, SEQ ID NO: 261, SEQ ID NO: 263, SEQ ID NO: 267, SEQ ID NO: 269, SEQ ID NO: 273, SEQ ID NO: 275, SEQ ID NO: 277, SEQ ID NO: 279, SEQ ID NO: 281, SEQ ID NO: 283, SEQ ID NO: 285, SEQ ID NO: 287, SEQ ID NO: 289, SEQ ID NO: 293, SEQ ID NO: 297, SEQ ID NO: 299, SEQ ID NO: 301, SEQ ID NO: 305, SEQ ID NO: 307, SEQ ID NO: 311, SEQ ID NO: 315, SEQ ID NO: 317, SEQ ID NO: 319, SEQ ID NO: 323, SEQ ID NO: 325, SEQ ID NO: 327, SEQ ID NO: 329, SEQ ID NO: 331, SEQ ID NO: 333, SEQ ID NO: 335, SEQ ID NO: 337, SEQ ID NO: 339, SEQ ID NO: 341, SEQ ID NO: 343, SEQ ID NO: 345, SEQ ID NO: 347, SEQ ID NO: 351, SEQ ID NO: 353, SEQ ID NO: 355, SEQ ID NO: 357, SEQ ID NO: 361, SEQ ID NO: 363, SEQ ID NO: 365, SEQ ID NO: 367, SEQ ID NO: 369, SEQ ID NO: 371, SEQ ID NO: 373, SEQ ID NO: 375, SEQ ID NO: 377, SEQ ID NO: 379, SEQ ID NO: 381, SEQ ID NO: 383, SEQ ID NO: 385, SEQ ID NO: 387, SEQ ID NO: 389, SEQ ID NO: 391, SEQ ID NO: 393, SEQ ID NO: 395, SEQ ID NO: 397, SEQ ID NO: 399, SEQ ID NO: 403, SEQ ID NO: 405, SEQ ID NO: 407, SEQ ID NO: 409, SEQ ID NO: 411, SEQ ID NO: 413, SEQ ID NO: 415, SEQ ID NO: 417, SEQ ID NO: 419, SEQ ID NO: 421, SEQ ID NO: 423, SEQ ID NO: 425, SEQ ID NO: 427, SEQ ID NO: 429, SEQ ID NO: 431, SEQ ID NO: 433, SEQ ID NO: 435, SEQ ID NO: 437, SEQ ID NO: 441, SEQ ID NO: 443, SEQ ID NO: 445, SEQ ID NO: 447, SEQ ID NO: 449, SEQ ID NO: 451, SEQ ID NO: 457, SEQ ID NO: 459, and SEQ ID NO: 461.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein a light chain comprises the sequence which is comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO: 64, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 73, SEQ ID NO: 80, SEQ ID NO: 81, SEQ ID NO: 82, SEQ ID NO: 83, SEQ ID NO: 84, SEQ ID NO: 85, SEQ ID NO: 86, SEQ ID NO: 87, SEQ ID NO: 88, SEQ ID NO: 89, SEQ ID NO: 90, SEQ ID NO: 91, SEQ ID NO: 92, SEQ ID NO: 93, SEQ ID NO: 94, SEQ ID NO: 95, SEQ ID NO: 96, SEQ ID NO: 97, SEQ ID NO: 98, SEQ ID NO: 99, SEQ ID NO: 100, SEQ ID NO: 101, SEQ ID NO: 102, SEQ ID NO: 104, SEQ ID NO: 105, SEQ ID NO: 107, SEQ ID NO: 108, SEQ ID NO: 109, SEQ ID NO: 110, SEQ ID NO: 111, SEQ ID NO: 113, SEQ ID NO: 114, SEQ ID NO: 115, SEQ ID NO: 116, SEQ ID NO: 117, SEQ ID NO: 118, SEQ ID NO: 119, SEQ ID NO: 121, SEQ ID NO: 122, SEQ ID NO: 123, SEQ ID NO: 124, SEQ ID NO: 125, SEQ ID NO: 126, SEQ ID NO: 127, SEQ ID NO: 128, SEQ ID NO: 129, SEQ ID NO: 130, SEQ ID NO: 131, SEQ ID NO: 132, SEQ ID NO: 133, SEQ ID NO: 134, SEQ ID NO: 135, SEQ ID NO: 136, SEQ ID NO: 137, SEQ ID NO: 138, SEQ ID NO: 140, SEQ ID NO: 142, SEQ ID NO: 144, SEQ ID NO: 146, SEQ ID NO: 148, SEQ ID NO: 150, SEQ ID NO: 152, SEQ ID NO: 154, SEQ ID NO: 156, SEQ ID NO: 158, SEQ ID NO: 160, SEQ ID NO: 162, SEQ ID NO: 164, SEQ ID NO: 166, SEQ ID NO: 168, SEQ ID NO: 170, SEQ ID NO: 172, SEQ ID NO: 174, SEQ ID NO: 176, SEQ ID NO: 178, SEQ ID NO: 180, SEQ ID NO: 182, SEQ ID NO: 184, SEQ ID NO: 186, SEQ ID NO: 188, SEQ ID NO: 190, SEQ ID NO: 192, SEQ ID NO: 194, SEQ ID NO: 196, SEQ ID NO: 198, SEQ ID NO: 200, SEQ ID NO: 202, SEQ ID NO: 203, SEQ ID NO: 204, SEQ ID NO: 205, SEQ ID NO: 206, SEQ ID NO: 207, SEQ ID NO: 208, SEQ ID NO: 209, SEQ ID NO: 211, SEQ ID NO: 212, SEQ ID NO: 213, SEQ ID NO: 218, SEQ ID NO: 220, SEQ ID NO: 222, SEQ ID NO: 224, SEQ ID NO: 226, SEQ ID NO: 228, SEQ ID NO: 230, SEQ ID NO: 232, SEQ ID NO: 234, SEQ ID NO: 236, SEQ ID NO: 238, SEQ ID NO: 240, SEQ ID NO: 242, SEQ ID NO: 244, SEQ ID NO: 246, SEQ ID NO: 248, SEQ ID NO: 250, SEQ ID NO: 252, SEQ ID NO: 254, SEQ ID NO: 256, SEQ ID NO: 258, SEQ ID NO: 260, SEQ ID NO: 262, SEQ ID NO: 264, SEQ ID NO: 266, SEQ ID NO: 268, SEQ ID NO: 270, SEQ ID NO: 272, SEQ ID NO: 274, SEQ ID NO: 276, SEQ ID NO: 278, SEQ ID NO: 280, SEQ ID NO: 282, SEQ ID NO: 284, SEQ ID NO: 286, SEQ ID NO: 288, SEQ ID NO: 290, SEQ ID NO: 292, SEQ ID NO: 294, SEQ ID NO: 296, SEQ ID NO: 298, SEQ ID NO: 300, SEQ ID NO: 302, SEQ ID NO: 304, SEQ ID NO: 306, SEQ ID NO: 308, SEQ ID NO: 310, SEQ ID NO: 312, SEQ ID NO: 314, SEQ ID NO: 316, SEQ ID NO: 318, SEQ ID NO: 320, SEQ ID NO: 322, SEQ ID NO: 324, SEQ ID NO: 326, SEQ ID NO: 328, SEQ ID NO: 330, SEQ ID NO: 332, SEQ ID NO: 334, SEQ ID NO: 336, SEQ ID NO: 338, SEQ ID NO: 340, SEQ ID NO: 342, SEQ ID NO: 344, SEQ ID NO: 346, SEQ ID NO: 348, SEQ ID NO: 350, SEQ ID NO: 352, SEQ ID NO: 354, SEQ ID NO: 356, SEQ ID NO: 358, SEQ ID NO: 360, SEQ ID NO: 362, SEQ ID NO: 364, SEQ ID NO: 366, SEQ ID NO: 368, SEQ ID NO: 370, SEQ ID NO: 372, SEQ ID NO: 374, SEQ ID NO: 376, SEQ ID NO: 378, SEQ ID NO: 380, SEQ ID NO: 382, SEQ ID NO: 384, SEQ ID NO: 386, SEQ ID NO: 388, SEQ ID NO: 390, SEQ ID NO: 392, SEQ ID NO: 394, SEQ ID NO: 396, SEQ ID NO: 398, SEQ ID NO: 400, SEQ ID NO: 404, SEQ ID NO: 406, SEQ ID NO: 408, SEQ ID NO: 410, SEQ ID NO: 412, SEQ ID NO: 414, SEQ ID NO: 416, SEQ ID NO: 418, SEQ ID NO: 420, SEQ ID NO: 422, SEQ ID NO: 424, SEQ ID NO: 426, SEQ ID NO: 428, SEQ ID NO: 430, SEQ ID NO: 432, SEQ ID NO: 434, SEQ ID NO: 436, SEQ ID NO: 438, SEQ ID NO: 440, SEQ ID NO: 442, SEQ ID NO: 444, SEQ ID NO: 446, SEQ ID NO: 448, SEQ ID NO: 450, SEQ ID NO: 452, SEQ ID NO: 454, SEQ ID NO: 458, and SEQ ID NO: 460.

Another preferred embodiment is an isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α wherein the heavy chain comprises the sequence which are comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO: 57, SEQ ID NO: 58, SEQ ID NO: 59, SEQ ID NO: 60, SEQ ID NO: 61, SEQ ID NO: 62, SEQ ID NO: 63, SEQ ID NO: 65, SEQ ID NO: 66, SEQ ID NO: 67, SEQ ID NO: 68, SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 72, SEQ ID NO: 74, SEQ ID NO: 78, SEQ ID NO: 79, SEQ ID NO: 103, SEQ ID NO: 106, SEQ ID NO: 112, SEQ ID NO: 139, SEQ ID NO: 141, SEQ ID NO: 143, SEQ ID NO: 145, SEQ ID NO: 147, SEQ ID NO: 151, SEQ ID NO: 153, SEQ ID NO: 155, SEQ ID NO: 157, SEQ ID NO: 159, SEQ ID NO: 161, SEQ ID NO: 163, SEQ ID NO: 165, SEQ ID NO: 167, SEQ ID NO: 169, SEQ ID NO: 171, SEQ ID NO: 173, SEQ ID NO: 175, SEQ ID NO: 177, SEQ ID NO: 179, SEQ ID NO: 181, SEQ ID NO: 183, SEQ ID NO: 185, SEQ ID NO: 187, SEQ ID NO: 189, SEQ ID NO: 191, SEQ ID NO: 193, SEQ ID NO: 195, SEQ ID NO: 197, SEQ ID NO: 199, SEQ ID NO: 201, SEQ ID NO: 210, SEQ ID NO: 214, SEQ ID NO: 215, SEQ ID NO: 216, SEQ ID NO: 217, SEQ ID NO: 219, SEQ ID NO: 221, SEQ ID NO: 223, SEQ ID NO: 225, SEQ ID NO: 227, SEQ ID NO: 229, SEQ ID NO: 231, SEQ ID NO: 233, SEQ ID NO: 235, SEQ ID NO: 237, SEQ ID NO: 239, SEQ ID NO: 241, SEQ ID NO: 243, SEQ ID NO: 245, SEQ ID NO: 247, SEQ ID NO: 249, SEQ ID NO: 251, SEQ ID NO: 253, SEQ ID NO: 255, SEQ ID NO: 257, SEQ ID NO: 259, SEQ ID NO: 261, SEQ ID NO: 263, SEQ ID NO: 267, SEQ ID NO: 269, SEQ ID NO: 273, SEQ ID NO: 275, SEQ ID NO: 277, SEQ ID NO: 279, SEQ ID NO: 281, SEQ ID NO: 283, SEQ ID NO: 285, SEQ ID NO: 287, SEQ ID NO: 289, SEQ ID NO: 293, SEQ ID NO: 297, SEQ ID NO: 299, SEQ ID NO: 301, SEQ ID NO: 305, SEQ ID NO: 307, SEQ ID NO: 311, SEQ ID NO: 315, SEQ ID NO: 317, SEQ ID NO: 319, SEQ ID NO: 323, SEQ ID NO: 325, SEQ ID NO: 327, SEQ ID NO: 329, SEQ ID NO: 331, SEQ ID NO: 333, SEQ ID NO: 335, SEQ ID NO: 337, SEQ ID NO: 339, SEQ ID NO: 341, SEQ ID NO: 343, SEQ ID NO: 345, SEQ ID NO: 347, SEQ ID NO: 351, SEQ ID NO: 353, SEQ ID NO: 355, SEQ ID NO: 357, SEQ ID NO: 361, SEQ ID NO: 363, SEQ ID NO: 365, SEQ ID NO: 367, SEQ ID NO: 369, SEQ ID NO: 371, SEQ ID NO: 373, SEQ ID NO: 375, SEQ ID NO: 377, SEQ ID NO: 379, SEQ ID NO: 381, SEQ ID NO: 383, SEQ ID NO: 385, SEQ ID NO: 387, SEQ ID NO: 389, SEQ ID NO: 391, SEQ ID NO: 393, SEQ ID NO: 395, SEQ ID NO: 397, SEQ ID NO: 399, SEQ ID NO: 403, SEQ ID NO: 405, SEQ ID NO: 407, SEQ ID NO: 409, SEQ ID NO: 411, SEQ ID NO: 413, SEQ ID NO: 415, SEQ ID NO: 417, SEQ ID NO: 419, SEQ ID NO: 421, SEQ ID NO: 423, SEQ ID NO: 425, SEQ ID NO: 427, SEQ ID NO: 429, SEQ ID NO: 431, SEQ ID NO: 433, SEQ ID NO: 435, SEQ ID NO: 437, SEQ ID NO: 441, SEQ ID NO: 443, SEQ ID NO: 445, SEQ ID NO: 447, SEQ ID NO: 449, SEQ ID NO: 451, SEQ ID NO: 457, SEQ ID NO: 459, and SEQ ID NO: 461 and wherein a light chain comprises a sequence which is comprised in a group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO: 64, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 73, SEQ ID NO: 80, SEQ ID NO: 81, SEQ ID NO: 82, SEQ ID NO: 83, SEQ ID NO: 84, SEQ ID NO: 85, SEQ ID NO: 86, SEQ ID NO: 87, SEQ ID NO: 88, SEQ ID NO: 89, SEQ ID NO: 90, SEQ ID NO: 91, SEQ ID NO: 92, SEQ ID NO: 93, SEQ ID NO: 94, SEQ ID NO: 95, SEQ ID NO: 96, SEQ ID NO: 97, SEQ ID NO: 98, SEQ ID NO: 99, SEQ ID NO: 100, SEQ ID NO: 101, SEQ ID NO: 102, SEQ ID NO: 104, SEQ ID NO: 105, SEQ ID NO: 107, SEQ ID NO: 108, SEQ ID NO: 109, SEQ ID NO: 110, SEQ ID NO: 111, SEQ ID NO: 113, SEQ ID NO: 114, SEQ ID NO: 115, SEQ ID NO: 116, SEQ ID NO: 117, SEQ ID NO: 118, SEQ ID NO: 119, SEQ ID NO: 121, SEQ ID NO: 122, SEQ ID NO: 123, SEQ ID NO: 124, SEQ ID NO: 125, SEQ ID NO: 126, SEQ ID NO: 127, SEQ ID NO: 128, SEQ ID NO: 129, SEQ ID NO: 130, SEQ ID NO: 131, SEQ ID NO: 132, SEQ ID NO: 133, SEQ ID NO: 134, SEQ ID NO: 135, SEQ ID NO: 136, SEQ ID NO: 137, SEQ ID NO: 138, SEQ ID NO: 140, SEQ ID NO: 142, SEQ ID NO: 144, SEQ ID NO: 146, SEQ ID NO: 148, SEQ ID NO: 150, SEQ ID NO: 152, SEQ ID NO: 154, SEQ ID NO: 156, SEQ ID NO: 158, SEQ ID NO: 160, SEQ ID NO: 162, SEQ ID NO: 164, SEQ ID NO: 166, SEQ ID NO: 168, SEQ ID NO: 170, SEQ ID NO: 172, SEQ ID NO: 174, SEQ ID NO: 176, SEQ ID NO: 178, SEQ ID NO: 180, SEQ ID NO: 182, SEQ ID NO: 184, SEQ ID NO: 186, SEQ ID NO: 188, SEQ ID NO: 190, SEQ ID NO: 192, SEQ ID NO: 194, SEQ ID NO: 196, SEQ ID NO: 198, SEQ ID NO: 200, SEQ ID NO: 202, SEQ ID NO: 203, SEQ ID NO: 204, SEQ ID NO: 205, SEQ ID NO: 206, SEQ ID NO: 207, SEQ ID NO: 208, SEQ ID NO: 209, SEQ ID NO: 211, SEQ ID NO: 212, SEQ ID NO: 213, SEQ ID NO: 218, SEQ ID NO: 220, SEQ ID NO: 222, SEQ ID NO: 224, SEQ ID NO: 226, SEQ ID NO: 228, SEQ ID NO: 230, SEQ ID NO: 232, SEQ ID NO: 234, SEQ ID NO: 236, SEQ ID NO: 238, SEQ ID NO: 240, SEQ ID NO: 242, SEQ ID NO: 244, SEQ ID NO: 246, SEQ ID NO: 248, SEQ ID NO: 250, SEQ ID NO: 252, SEQ ID NO: 254, SEQ ID NO: 256, SEQ ID NO: 258, SEQ ID NO: 260, SEQ ID NO: 262, SEQ ID NO: 264, SEQ ID NO: 266, SEQ ID NO: 268, SEQ ID NO: 270, SEQ ID NO: 272, SEQ ID NO: 274, SEQ ID NO: 276, SEQ ID NO: 278, SEQ ID NO: 280, SEQ ID NO: 282, SEQ ID NO: 284, SEQ ID NO: 286, SEQ ID NO: 288, SEQ ID NO: 290, SEQ ID NO: 292, SEQ ID NO: 294, SEQ ID NO: 296, SEQ ID NO: 298, SEQ ID NO: 300, SEQ ID NO: 302, SEQ ID NO: 304, SEQ ID NO: 306, SEQ ID NO: 308, SEQ ID NO: 310, SEQ ID NO: 312, SEQ ID NO: 314, SEQ ID NO: 316, SEQ ID NO: 318, SEQ ID NO: 320, SEQ ID NO: 322, SEQ ID NO: 324, SEQ ID NO: 326, SEQ ID NO: 328, SEQ ID NO: 330, SEQ ID NO: 332, SEQ ID NO: 334, SEQ ID NO: 336, SEQ ID NO: 338, SEQ ID NO: 340, SEQ ID NO: 342, SEQ ID NO: 344, SEQ ID NO: 346, SEQ ID NO: 348, SEQ ID NO: 350, SEQ ID NO: 352, SEQ ID NO: 354, SEQ ID NO: 356, SEQ ID NO: 358, SEQ ID NO: 360, SEQ ID NO: 362, SEQ ID NO: 364, SEQ ID NO: 366, SEQ ID NO: 368, SEQ ID NO: 370, SEQ ID NO: 372, SEQ ID NO: 374, SEQ ID NO: 376, SEQ ID NO: 378, SEQ ID NO: 380, SEQ ID NO: 382, SEQ ID NO: 384, SEQ ID NO: 386, SEQ ID NO: 388, SEQ ID NO: 390, SEQ ID NO: 392, SEQ ID NO: 394, SEQ ID NO: 396, SEQ ID NO: 398, SEQ ID NO: 400, SEQ ID NO: 404, SEQ ID NO: 406, SEQ ID NO: 408, SEQ ID NO: 410, SEQ ID NO: 412, SEQ ID NO: 414, SEQ ID NO: 416, SEQ ID NO: 418, SEQ ID NO: 420, SEQ ID NO: 422, SEQ ID NO: 424, SEQ ID NO: 426, SEQ ID NO: 428, SEQ ID NO: 430, SEQ ID NO: 432, SEQ ID NO: 434, SEQ ID NO: 436, SEQ ID NO: 438, SEQ ID NO: 440, SEQ ID NO: 442, SEQ ID NO: 444, SEQ ID NO: 446, SEQ ID NO: 448, SEQ ID NO: 450, SEQ ID NO: 452, SEQ ID NO: 454, SEQ ID NO: 458, SEQ ID NO: 460, SEQ ID NO: 462. The preferred combinations are illustrated in table 2, where the binders are listed according their nomenclature used in the figures. In cases were no heavy chain or light chain is listed, the respective heavy or light chain from D2E7 (SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2, respectively) is used.

A further preferred embodiment is an aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α with an affinity constant K_(D) or k_(off) rate constant that is a least 3 fold lower, preferably 5 fold lower, more preferably 10 fold lower than that of the antibody having a heavy chain and a light chain identified by SEQ ID NO: 463 and SEQ ID NO: 464, respectively. A further preferred embodiment is an aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α with an affinity constant K_(D) of less than 30 pM, more preferably of less or equal than 10 pM.

A further embodiment is an aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portion thereof capable of binding TNF-α of mammalian origin, preferably from a mammal selected from the group consisting of primate, mouse, rat and pig. A more preferred embodiment is an aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portions thereof capable of binding TNF-α of primate origin, preferably from a primate selected from the group consisting of human, baboon, marmoset, chimpanzee, cynomolgus and rhesus. Another more preferred embodiment is an aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portions thereof capable of binding human TNF-α. A further preferred embodiment is an aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portions thereof capable of specifically binding human TNF-α.

A more preferred embodiment is an aforementioned isolated antibody or antigen binding portions thereof capable of neutralizing TNF-α. 100291) In another embodiment the aforementioned isolated antibodies or antigen binding portions thereof capable of binding TNF-α is an at least bi-specific antibody or fragment thereof, wherein at least one V_(h) CDR1-3, V_(l) CDR1-3, V_(h), V_(l), heavy or light chain comprises at least one of the aforementioned V_(h) CDR1-3, V_(l) CDR1-3, V_(h), V_(l), heavy or light chain of the invention.

Another embodiment is a nucleic acid encoding the aforementioned isolated antibodies or antigen binding portions thereof capable of binding TNF-α. A further embodiment is a vector comprising the aforementioned nucleic acid. Yet a further embodiment is a host cell comprising the aforementioned nucleic acid.

Another embodiment is a method of production of the aforementioned isolated antibodies or antigen binding portions thereof capable of binding TNF-α said method comprising culturing of a host cell of claim 14 under conditions allowing the expression of the antibody or binding portion thereof and recovering the antibody or binding portion thereof from the culture.

Another embodiment is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the aforementioned antibodies or antigen binding portions thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A further embodiment is the aforementioned pharmaceutical composition which further comprises at least one additional therapeutic agent.

FIG. 2 shows a table of variant heavy and light chains. The alterations in amino acid sequence compared to the base sequence (wild type) is shown in bold letters. The “amino acid number” refers to the position of the amino acid according to the numbering provided in SEQ ID NO. 1. FIG. 3A-3C shows the results of a homogenous time-resolved energy transfer assay (HTRF®) comparing the variants of FIG. 2 to a Fab comprising the base heavy and light chain (SEQ ID NOs. 1 and 2, respectively) FabHUM. Lower 665/620 ratios indicate improved affinity; therefore, as shown in the charts, all of the variants of FIG. 2 had at least as strong of an affinity to TNFα as the positive control, FabHUM.

FIG. 4 shows a table of variant heavy chains having variations in CDR2 compared to the base sequence. The alterations in amino acid sequence compared to the base sequence (wild type) is shown in bold letters. The “amino acid number” refers to the position of the amino acid according to the numbering provided in SEQ ID NO. 1. FIG. 5A-5B shows the results of HTRF® comparing the variants of FIG. 4 to FabHUM. As shown in the charts, all of the variants of FIG. 4 had at least as strong of an affinity to TNFα as the positive control, FabHUM.

FIG. 7 shows a table of variant heavy chains having variations in CDR3 compared to the base sequence. The alterations in amino acid sequence compared to the base sequence (wild type) is shown in bold letters. The “amino acid number” refers to the position of the amino acid according to the numbering provided in SEQ ID NO. 1. FIG. 8A shows the results of an ELISA assay using the indicated variant. FIG. 8B shows the results of HTRF® comparing the variants of FIG. 6 to FabHUM. As shown in the charts, the variants of FIG. 7 had a comparable affinity to TNFα as the positive control, FabHUM.

FIG. 8 shows a table of variant light chains having variations in CDR1 sequence compared to the base sequence. The alterations in amino acid sequence compared to the base sequence (wild type) is shown in bold letters. The “amino acid number” refers to the position of the amino acid according to the numbering provided in SEQ ID NO. 2. FIG. 9A-9G show the results of HTRF® comparing the variants of FIG. 8 to FabHUM. As shown in the charts, many of the variants of FIG. 8 had at least as strong of an affinity to TNFα as the positive control, FabHUM.

FIG. 10 shows a table of variant light chains having the indicated variations in sequence and heavy chains having the indicated variations in sequence compared to the base sequence. The alterations in amino acid sequence compared to the base sequence (wild type) is shown in bold letters. The “amino acid number” refers to the position of the amino acid according to the numbering provided in SEQ ID NO. 2 or 1, respectively. FIG. 11A-I I shows the results of HTRF® comparing the variants of FIG. 10 to FabHUM. As shown in the charts, many of the variants of FIG. 10 had at least as strong of an affinity to TNFα as the positive control, FabHUM.

FIG. 12 shows a table of variant light chains having the indicated variations in sequence compared to the base sequence. The alterations in amino acid sequence compared to the base sequence (wild type) is shown in bold letters. The “amino acid number” refers to the position of the amino acid according to the numbering provided in SEQ ID NO. 2. FIG. 13A-13D show the results of HTRF® comparing the variants of FIG. 12 to FabHUM. As shown in the charts, many of the variants of FIG. 12 had at least as strong of an affinity to TNFα as the positive control, FabHUM. FIG. 13E shows the results of an ELISA assay. As shown in FIG. 13E, the single substitution N92I resulted in an impairment of affinity towards TNFα, whereas the same substitution increases the affinity of the R93Q; A94P double mutant. Therefore, the triple mutant N92I; R93Q; A94P shows synergistic affinity improvement.

FIG. 14 shows a table of variant light chains and variant heavy chains having the indicated variations in sequence compared to the base sequence. The alterations in amino acid sequence compared to the base sequence (wild type) is shown in bold letters. The “amino acid number” refers to the position of the amino acid according to the numbering provided in SEQ ID NO. 2 and 1, respectively. FIG. 15A-15E show the results of HTRF® comparing the variants of FIG. 14 to FabHUM. As shown in the charts, many of the variants of FIG. 14 had at least as strong of an affinity to TNFα as the positive control, FabHUM.

Examples Expression of Full Length Antibodies

The D2E7 and variant light and heavy chain genes were separately cloned into pCEP4 (Invitrogen). The light and heavy chain vectors were cotransfected into HEK cells using PEI following standard procedures in a volume of 60 ml in 250 ml Erlenmeyer flasks. Cells were grown in 293freestyle (Invitrogen) supplemented with 0.25% GPN3 (Organotechnie). After 5 days supernatants were harvested and analysed. See FIG. 34 for sequences.

TNF-Alpha Neutralization Cell Based Bioassay:

TNF-responsive cells were plated in 384 well plates and incubated over night 300 pg/ml TNF was preincubated with various antibody concentrations for 30 minutes at room temperature. The mixtures were added to the cells and incubated for 6 h at 37 degrees.

TNF-induced caspase activation was measured using the caspase glo 3/7 kit (Promega) following the manufacturer's instructions. The variants of the invention are neutralizing antibodies by suppressing TNF-alpha induced apoptosis, see FIG. 32.

SPR-Analysis:

Surface plasmon resonance analysis: TNFα preparations were immobilized onto a GLC sensor chip within a ProteOn XPR biosensor (BioRad Laboritories) using standard amine coupling. The surfaces were activated for 5 minutes with sulf-NHS/EDC (0.01M/0.04 M), then the TNFα was injected at 1 ug/ml in 10 mM NaAcetate, pH 4.5 for 5 minutes and finally the surfaces were blocked with a 5 minute injection of 1 M ethanolamine pH 8.1. TNFα immobilization levels were between 400 and 500 RU. Fabs were tested at 10 nM as the highest concentration in a 3-fold dilution series. The running buffer contained 10 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.4, with 0.005% tween-20 and 0.1 mg/mL BSA. Binding data were collected at 25 degrees C. The binding kinetics were determined by globally fitting the response data to a simple 1:1 interaction model using Scrubber (Biologic Software Pty Ltd, Australia). FIG. 31 showing data of the SPR analysis for some variants of the invention.

Table 1 is showing the variants of the invention and the corresponding SEQ ID NO. For example the sequence of the heavy chain of URS_li!L_(—)1.12A_(—)20.1_(—)2 has SEQ ID NO: 63 and the sequence of the light chain of URS_li!L_(—)1.12A_(—)20.1_(—)2 has SEQ ID NO: 64. When no corresponding heavy or light chain is indicated the D2E7 heavy or light chain is used.

TABLE 1 Binder SEQ ID NO URS_1.12_50 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 57 URS_1.12_87 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 58 URS_1.12_103 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 59 URS_1.12_47 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 60 URS_1.12_84 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 61 URS_1i!L_1.12A_7.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 62 URS_1i!L_1.12A_20.1_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 63 URS_1i!L_1.12A_20.1_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 64 URS_1i!L_1.12A_11.2_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 65 URS_1i!L_1.12A_15.0_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 66 URS_1i!L_1.12A_6.5_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 67 URS_1i!L_1.12A_2.3_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 68 URS_1i!L_1.12A_11.3_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 69 URS_1i!L_1.13_12.2_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 70 URS_1i!L_1.13_12.2_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 71 URS_1.42a_22_2 x 2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 72 URS_1.42a_22_2 x 2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 73 URS_1.42a_105_1 x 2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 74 URS_1o!L1.19_29.3_2 - Heeavy chain SEQ ID NO: 75 URS_1o!L1.19_29.5_1 - Heeavy chain SEQ ID NO: 76 URS_2.1c!L1.15_12.1_1 - Heeavy chain SEQ ID NO: 77 URS_1k!L_1.23_7.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 78 URS_1.60a_120_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 79 URS_1b!L1.29_11.2_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 80 URS_1b!L1.29_10.2_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 81 URS_1b!L1.29_12.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 82 URS_1b!L1.29_11.7_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 83 URS_1b!L1.29_11.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 84 URS_1b!L1.29_11.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 85 URS_1q!L1.31_38.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 86 URS_1q!L1.31_38.6_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 87 URS_1q!L1.31_38.4_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 88 URS_1q!L1.31_24.6_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 89 URS_1q!L1.31_19.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 90 URS_1e!L1.30_15.3_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 91 URS_1h!L1.30A_11.0_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 92 URS_1h!L1.30_4.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 93 URS_1h!L1.30A_23.1_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 94 URS_1.61_H1_26 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 95 URS_1.63a_10_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 96 URS_1.63a_22_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 97 URS_1.63a_33_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 98 URS_1c!L1.39_14.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 99 URS_1c!L1.35_13.6_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 100 URS_1c!L1.35_13.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 101 URS_1.49_II_A3 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 102 URS_1.49_II_A3 - heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 103 URS_1.49_I_D3 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 104 URS_1.49_I_G8 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 105 URS_1.49_I_G8 - heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 106 URS_1.49a_159_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 107 URS_1.49a_56_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 108 URS_1.49a_112_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 109 URS_1.49a_92_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 110 URS_1.49a_154_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 111 URS_1k!L_1.22_11.3_1- Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 112 URS_1k!L_1.22_11.3_1- Light chain SEQ ID NO: 113 URS_1.52a_160_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 114 URS_1.50a_71_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 115 URS_1m!L1.35_20.6_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 116 URS_1m!L1.36_12.6_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 117 URS_1m!L1.36_12.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 118 URS_1q!L1.36_20.0_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 119 URS_1.62a_112_2 SEQ ID NO: 120 URS_1c!L1.40_15.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 121 URS_1c!L1.40_7.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 122 URS_1c!L1.40_15.21_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 123 URS_1c!L1.40_15.20_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 124 URS_1c!L1.40_15.25_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 125 URS_1c!L1.40_15.14_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 126 URS_1c!L1.40_7.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 127 URS_1.64a_65_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 128 URS_1.57a_123_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 129 URS_1.57a_68_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 130 URS_1.57a_98_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 131 URS_1.57a_116_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 132 URS_1.57a_17_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 133 URS_1.57a_56_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 134 URS_N92I - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 135 URS_R93K - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 136 URS_R93Q - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 137 URS_R93M - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 138 URS_2.1a_12.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 139 URS_2.1a_12.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 140 URS_2.1a_6.2_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 141 URS_2.1a_6.2_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 142 URS_2.1a_8.1_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 143 URS_2.1a_8.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 144 URS_2.1a_12.7_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 145 URS_2.1a_12.7_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 146 URS_2.1b_9.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 147 URS_2.1b_9.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 148 URS_2.1b_9.0_1 - VH chain SEQ ID NO: 149 URS_2.1b_9.0_1 - VL chain SEQ ID NO: 150 URS_2.1b_5.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 151 URS_2.1b_5.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 152 URS_2.1b_13.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 153 URS_2.1b_13.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 154 URS_2.1b_25.6_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 155 URS_2.1b_25.6_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 156 URS_2.1b_9.2_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 157 URS_2.1b_9.2_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 158 URS_2.1b_6.4_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 159 URS_2.1b_6.4_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 160 URS_2.1c_33.7_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 161 URS_2.1c_33.7_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 162 URS_2.1c_32.1_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 163 URS_2.1c_32.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 164 URS_2.1c_33.3_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 165 URS_2.1c_33.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 166 URS_2.1c_31.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 167 URS_2.1c_31.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 168 URS_2.1c_34.2_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 169 URS_2.1c_34.2_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 170 URS_2.1c_34.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 171 URS_2.1c_34.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 172 URS_2.1c_30.1_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 173 URS_2.1c_30.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 174 URS_2.1c_34.3_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 175 URS_2.1c_34.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 176 URS_2.1Amp_H2_13_20 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 177 URS_2.1Amp_H2_13_20 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 178 URS_2.1Amp_H3_16_26 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 179 URS_2.1Amp_H3_16_26 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 180 URS_2.1Amp_H3_20_27 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 181 URS_2.1Amp_H3_20_27 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 182 URS_2.1Amp_H3_5_22 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 183 URS_2.1Amp_H3_5_22 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 184 URS_2.1Amp_H3_4_87 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 185 URS_2.1Amp_H3_4_87 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 186 URS_2.1Amp_H2_3_72 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 187 URS_2.1Amp_H2_3_72 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 188 URS_2.1Amp_H2_11_88 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 189 URS_2.1Amp_H2_11_88 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 190 URS_2.1Amp_H3_6_21 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 191 URS_2.1Amp_H3_6_21 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 192 URS_2.1Amp_H3_15_27 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 193 URS_2.1Amp_H3_15_27 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 194 URS_2.1Amp_H2_17_58 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 195 URS_2.1Amp_H2_17_58 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 196 URS_2.1Amp_53 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 197 URS_2.1Amp_53 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 198 URS_2.1Amp_68 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 199 URS_2.1Amp_68 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 200 URS_2.1Amp_153 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 201 URS_2.1Amp_153 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 202 URS_1.66a_11_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 203 URS_1.66a_25_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 204 URS_1.66a_33_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 205 URS_1.66a_43_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 206 URS_1.66a_51_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 207 URS_1.66a_133_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 208 URS_1.67a_16 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 209 URS_1.67a_76 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 210 URS_1.67a_76 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 211 URS_1.67a_80 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 212 URS_1.67a_106 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 213 URS_1.68a_41 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 214 URS_1.68a_122 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 215 URS_1.68a_154 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 216 URS_2.1b_39.1_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 217 URS_2.1b_39.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 218 URS_2.1f_28.5_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 219 URS_2.1f_28.5_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 220 URS_2.1f_8.6_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 221 URS_2.1f_8.6_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 222 URS_2.2b_10.7_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 223 URS_2.2b_10.7_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 224 URS_2.2b_33.3_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 225 URS_2.2b_33.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 226 URS_2.2b_25.6_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 227 URS_2.2b_25.6_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 228 URS_2.2d_181 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 229 URS_2.2d_181 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 230 URS_2.2d_229 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 231 URS_2.2d_229 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 232 URS_2.2d_216 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 233 URS_2.2d_216 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 234 URS_2.2d_165 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 235 URS_2.2d_165 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 236 URS_2.2d_162 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 237 URS_2.2d_162 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 238 URS_2.2d_282 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 239 URS_2.2d_282 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 240 URS_2.2d_291 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 241 URS_2.2d_291 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 242 URS_2.2d_303 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 243 URS_2.2d_303 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 244 URS_2.2d_251 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 245 URS_2.2d_251 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 246 URS_2.2d_287 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 247 URS_2.2d_287 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 248 URS_2.2e_139 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 249 URS_2.2e_139 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 250 URS_2.2e_182 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 251 URS_2.2e_182 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 252 URS_2.2e_289 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 253 URS_2.2e_289 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 254 URS_2.2e_418 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 255 URS_2.2e_418 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 256 URS_3.1a_18.4_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 257 URS_3.1a_18.4_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 258 URS_3.1a_20.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 259 URS_3.1a_20.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 260 URS_3.1a_33.0_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 261 URS_3.1a_33.0_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 262 URS_3.1a_34.7_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 263 URS_3.1a_34.7_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 264 URS_3.1a_34.7_1 - VH chain SEQ ID NO: 265 URS_3.1a_34.7_1 - VL chain SEQ ID NO: 266 URS_3.1c_9.6_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 267 URS_3.1c_9.6_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 268 URS_3.1d_6.1_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 269 URS_3.1d_6.1_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 270 URS_3.1d_6.1_2 - VH chain SEQ ID NO: 271 URS_3.1d_6.1_2 - VL chain SEQ ID NO: 272 URS_3.1d_12.7_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 273 URS_3.1d_12.7_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 274 URS_3.1d_32.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 275 URS_3.1d_32.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 276 URS_3.1d_13.6_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 277 URS_3.1d_13.6_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 278 URS_3.1d_13.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 279 URS_3.1d_13.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 280 URS_3.1d_32.0_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 281 URS_3.1d_32.0_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 282 URS_3.1e_20.1_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 283 URS_3.1e_20.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 284 URS_3.1e_18.7_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 285 URS_3.1e_18.7_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 286 URS_3.1e_23.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 287 URS_3.1e_23.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 288 URS_3.1f_12.1_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 289 URS_3.1f_12.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 290 URS_3.1f_12.1_1 - VH chain SEQ ID NO: 291 URS_3.1f_12.1_1 - VL chain SEQ ID NO: 292 URS_3.1f_18.3_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 293 URS_3.1f_18.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 294 URS_3.1f_18.3_1 - VH chain SEQ ID NO: 295 URS_3.1f_18.3_1 - VL chain SEQ ID NO: 296 URS_3.1h_17.4_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 297 URS_3.1h_17.4_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 298 URS_3.1h_22.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 299 URS_3.1h_22.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 300 URS_4.2a_6 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 301 URS_4.2a_6 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 302 URS_4.2a_6 - VH chain SEQ ID NO: 303 URS_4.2a_6 - VL chain SEQ ID NO: 304 URS_4.1a_49 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 305 URS_4.1a_49 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 306 URS_4.2a_52 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 307 URS_4.2a_52 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 308 URS_4.2a_52 - VH chain SEQ ID NO: 309 URS_4.2a_52 - VL chain SEQ ID NO: 310 URS_4.2a_54 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 311 URS_4.2a_54 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 312 URS_4.2a_54 - VH chain SEQ ID NO: 313 URS_4.2a_54 - VL chain SEQ ID NO: 314 URS_4.2a_14 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 315 URS_4.2a_14 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 316 URS_4.2a_19 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 317 URS_4.2a_19 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 318 URS_2.8a_10.1_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 319 URS_2.8a_10.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 320 URS_2.8a_10.1_1 - VH chain SEQ ID NO: 321 URS_2.8a_10.1_1 - VL chain SEQ ID NO: 322 URS_2.8a_3.2_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 323 URS_2.8a_3.2_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 324 URS_2.8a_26.7_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 325 URS_2.8a_26.7_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 326 URS_2.8a_20.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 327 URS_2.8a_20.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 328 URS_2.8a_34.6_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 329 URS_2.8a_34.6_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 330 URS_2.8a_30.7_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 331 URS_2.8a_30.7_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 332 URS_2.8a_4.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 333 URS_2.8a_4.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 334 URS_2.8a_5.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 335 URS_2.8a_5.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 336 URS_2.8b_17.3_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 337 URS_2.8b_17.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 338 URS_2.8b_13.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 339 URS_2.8b_13.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 340 URS_2.8a_30.1_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 341 URS_2.8a_30.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 342 URS_2.8a_50.1_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 343 URS_2.8a_50.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 344 URS_2.8a_15.1_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 345 URS_2.8a_15.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 346 URS_2.8b_15.7_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 347 URS_2.8b_15.7_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 348 URS_2.8a_16.2_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 349 URS_2.8a_16.2_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 350 URS_2.8a_11.3_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 351 URS_2.8a_11.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 352 URS_2.8b_6.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 353 URS_2.8b_6.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 354 URS_2.8b_28.6_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 355 URS_2.8b_28.6_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 356 URS_2.8b_6.0_2- Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 357 URS_2.8b_6.0_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 358 URS_2.8b_6.0_2- VH chain SEQ ID NO: 359 URS_2.8b_6.0_2 - VL chain SEQ ID NO: 360 URS_2.8a_10.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 361 URS_2.8a_10.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 362 URS_2.8a_35.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 363 URS_2.8a_35.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 364 URS_2.4a_21.4_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 365 URS_2.4a_21.4_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 366 URS_2.4a_32.1_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 367 URS_2.4a_32.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 368 URS_2.4a_32.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 369 URS_2.4a_32.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 370 URS_2.4a_37.7_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 371 URS_2.4a_37.7_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 372 URS_2.4a_13.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 373 URS_2.4a_13.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 374 URS_2.4a_13.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 375 URS_2.4a_13.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 376 URS_2.7b_20.3_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 377 URS_2.7b_20.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 378 URS_2.4a_21.2_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 379 URS_2.4a_21.2_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 380 URS_2.7b_7.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 381 URS_2.7b_7.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 382 URS_2.7c_18.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 383 URS_2.7c_18.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 384 URS_2.4a_32.4_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 385 URS_2.4a_32.4_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 386 URS_2.4a_40.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 387 URS_2.4a_40.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 388 URS_2.4a_42.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 389 URS_2.4a_42.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 390 URS_2.7b_32.1_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 391 URS_2.7b_32.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 392 URS_2.7b_40.2_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 393 URS_2.7b_40.2_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 394 URS_2.7c_4.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 395 URS_2.7c_4.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 396 URS_2.7b_30.7_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 397 URS_2.7b_30.7_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 398 URS_2.4a_21.2_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 399 URS_2.4a_21.2_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 400 URS_2.4a_21.2_2 - VH chain SEQ ID NO: 401 URS_2.4a_21.2_2 - VH chain SEQ ID NO: 402 URS_2.7c_4.4_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 403 URS_2.7c_4.4_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 404 URS_2.7b_39.4_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 405 URS_2.7b_39.4_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 406 URS_2.7a_28.1_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 407 URS_2.7a_28.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 408 URS_2.7c_5.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 409 URS_2.7c_5.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 410 URS_2.4a_13.3_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 411 URS_2.4a_13.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 412 URS_2.7c_10.6_2 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 413 URS_2.7c_10.6_2 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 414 URS_2.7b_12.1_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 415 URS_2.7b_12.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 416 URS_2.7c_6.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 417 URS_2.7c_6.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 418 URS_2.4a_29.6_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 419 URS_2.4a_29.6_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 420 URS_2.7a_9.3_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 421 URS_2.7a_9.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 422 URS_2.7b_9.4_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 423 URS_2.7b_9.4_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 424 URS_2.7b_6.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 425 URS_2.7b_6.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 426 URS_2.7c_7.4_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 427 URS_2.7c_7.4_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 428 URS_2.7c_4.1_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 429 URS_2.7c_4.1_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 430 URS_2.7c_5.4_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 431 URS_2.7c_5.4_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 432 URS_2.7b_33.6_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 433 URS_2.7b_33.6_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 434 URS_2.7c_13.3_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 435 URS_2.7c_13.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 436 URS_2.4a_33.7_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 437 URS_2.4a_33.7_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 438 URS_2.4a_41.6_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 439 URS_2.4a_41.6_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 440 URS_2.7a_28.2_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 441 URS_2.7a_28.2_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 442 URS_2.7a_28.3_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 443 URS_2.7a_28.3_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 444 URS_2.7c_5.7_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 445 URS_2.7c_5.7_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 446 URS_2.7a_7.2_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 447 URS_2.7a_7.2_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 448 URS_2.7b_13.5_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 449 URS_2.7b_13.5_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 450 URS_4.2a_26 heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 451 URS_4.2a_26 light chain SEQ ID NO: 452 URS_4.2a_26 VH chain SEQ ID NO: 453 URS_4.2a_26 VL chain SEQ ID NO: 454 Humira-Fab - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 455 Humira-Fab - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 456 Full length_URS_2.1b_9.0_1 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 457 Full length_URS_2.1b_9.0_1 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 458 Full length_URS_2.1_H2_3_72 - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 459 Full length_URS_2.1_H2_3_72 - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 460 Full length_HUMIRA - Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 461 Full length_HUMIRA - Light chain SEQ ID NO: 462 Fab - cb1-3 Heavy chain SEQ ID NO: 463 Fab - cb1-3 light chain SEQ ID NO: 464

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting on the invention described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

1. An antibody capable of binding TNF-α, or an antigen binding portion thereof, which comprises, wherein the antibody is selected from the group consisting of: (A) an antibody which comprises: (a) a heavy chain, wherein the heavy chain comprises a heavy chain variable region (V_(H)) comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:271; and (b) a light chain, wherein the light chain comprises a light chain variable region (V_(L)) comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:272; and (B) an antibody which comprises: (a) a heavy chain, wherein the heavy chain comprises a heavy chain variable region (V_(H)) comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:453; and (b) a light chain, wherein the light chain comprises a light chain variable region (V_(L)) comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:454.
 2. The antibody of claim 1 or the antigen binding portion thereof which comprises the V_(H) comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:271 and the V_(L) comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:272, wherein the heavy chain comprises the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:269.
 3. The antibody of claim 1 or the antigen binding portion thereof which comprises the V_(H) comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 271 and the V_(L) comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:272, wherein the light chain comprises the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:270.
 4. The antibody of claim 1 or the antigen binding portion thereof which comprises the V_(H) comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:453 and the V_(L) comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:454, wherein the heavy chain comprises the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:451.
 5. The antibody of claim 1 or the antigen binding portion thereof which comprises the V_(H) comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:453 and the V_(L) comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:454, wherein the light chain comprises the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:452.
 6. The antigen binding portion of the antibody of claim 1, wherein the antigen binding portion is selected from the group consisting of an Fab fragment, an F(ab′)₂ fragment, a bivalent fragment comprising two Fab fragments linked by a disulfide bridge at the hinge region, an Fd fragment consisting of the VH and CH1 domains, an Fv fragment consisting of the VL and VH domains of a single arm of the antibody, a dAb fragment consisting of the V_(H) domain, and an scFv.
 7. The antibody of claim 1 or the antigen binding portion thereof, which is humanized.
 8. A pharmaceutical composition comprising: (a) the antibody of claim 1 or the antigen binding portion thereof; and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 9. A nucleic acid molecule which encodes the antibody of claim 1 or the antigen binding portion thereof.
 10. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 7, which is an expression vector.
 11. A host cell comprising a nucleic acid molecule which encodes the antibody of claim 1 or the antigen binding portion thereof.
 12. A method for the production of an antibody or an antigen binding portion thereof, comprising: (a) culturing of the host cell of claim 11 in a culture medium under conditions which permit expression of the antibody or binding portion thereof and its secretion into the culture medium; and (b) recovering the antibody or binding portion thereof from the culture medium. 